Morehead State receives grant to assist parenting students
Morehead State University recently received a grant to help provide support for college students who are also parents.
The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative (KYSSC), an initiative of the Council for Postsecondary Education (CPE), awarded Morehead State a $60,000 planning grant to increase support for undergraduate parenting students. MSU was one of five public colleges and universities in the state to receive this grant.
The grant requires awarded campuses to take part in a nine-month continuous improvement process to find strategies for balancing student coursework with childcare responsibilities and to improve overall outcomes. Strategies include affordable childcare solutions through either a campus-based center or partnerships with community-based services and early childhood providers.
Other grant requirements include a needs assessment, partnership development, an action plan, an implementation activity and a final report. This is the first time MSU has received this grant.
"We pursued this grant because such a large portion of our students are parents and need access to resources and information that will assist them in being successful in the classroom," said Jen Timmermann (Class of 2003, 2007), director of adult and transfer admissions. "Completing a degree requires so much more than academic commitment. Oftentimes, it requires external assistance such as community resources and wraparound support. This funding will allow us to create a strong parenting-student support network that will allow students to access resources faster and more consistently."
Matthew Hyden (Class of 2002, 2004), executive director of Adult & Regional Education, said MSU's biggest initiatives with the grant funding are providing a student guidebook for parenting students, training advisors to assist parenting students, and providing resources for students who learn they are about to become parents. There is also a dedicated space on campus for parenting students, currently under development, that will eventually open in Room 206 of the Adron Doran University Center.
"MSU understands the realities of balancing college and family responsibilities. The University is actively creating support systems rather than expecting students to navigate challenges alone," Hyden said. "You don't have to choose between being a parent and earning your degree. MSU is committed to helping you succeed in both roles."
In November and December, Morehead State will host several events at its Morehead campus and at MSU at Prestonsburg to provide more information on earning a college degree as a parenting student. Check the MSU event calendar for more information.
To learn more about services for adult and returning students at MSU, contact the Office of Enrollment Services at admissions@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2000.
Interested in applying to Morehead State University? Visit www.moreheadstate.edu/apply.
